This IPL could be decisive for 5 Indian star players
After months of suspense, apprehension and anticipation, the IPL is finally underway. The circumstances are unusual. The tournament has been played overseas earlier too, so that it not such a severe setback, though it could impact the teams in sundry ways since players were chosen, retained or dumped based on the tournament being played in India.
What’s starkly different this time is that this highoctane tournament will be without spectators, and with a stringent protocol in place to counter the looming threat of Covid19. It remains to be seen what impact this has on the players’s mood and mind.
Barring players from West Indies, England and Australia, others are also shorn of match practice since the lockdown began in March. How rusty will they be? Other factors that could have a bearing on team and individual performances are the heat and humidity in the UAE, at least for the first half of the tournament, and the character of pitches which is unknown.
None of this, however, can subdue the excitement of the tournament being played. The IPL is a platform where talent can be showcased and careers made or consolidated. The creme de la creme of the world’s players (barring from Pakistan) will be in action.
No player’s worth can be undermined, but this season my attention will be on five Indian players, at different stages in their careers, for whom this IPL could be decisive in one way or another
M. S. Dhoni: Recently retired from international cricket, he still remains perhaps the biggest drawcard in the IPL. Pushing 40, how fit is he for the demanding schedule of the league? Does he still have the form to win matches off his own bat? Most important in Dhoni’s case is captaincy. He commands loyalty, of that there is no doubt. But with seasoned pros Raina and Harbhajan missing, how he deploys his resources will be key. And how CSK fares this season could well determine whether Dhoni will wear the yellow jersey next season.
Virat Kohli: India’s most successful captain in international cricket has been floundering to win the IPL title, though he’s been spectacular with bat and is the league’s highest rungetter. This is his 10th season in the leadership role. The best RCB have achieved under him was runner up in 2016. Since then, RCB’s results have been poor: bottom placed in 2017 and 2019, 6th in 2018, raising queries about Kohli’s captaincy in this format. Harsh considering his captaincy record in the same format in internationals. But Kohli has certainly something to prove.
R. Ashwin: Picked for international cricket on the strength of IPL performances, became a certainty in all three formats, before losing his place in ODIs as well as T20s. A productive IPL season could bring Ashwin back in the reckoning for India in limited overs cricket. Move from Kings XI Punjab cost him the captaincy as Delhi Capitals have preferred to retain Shreyas Iyer in the top position. Crafty and strong-minded, how well and swiftly he strikes rapport with Iyer and coach Ponting could define DC’s fortunes as well as his own future.
K. L. Rahul: Made captain of Kings XI after Ashwin’s departure, faces multiple challenges as the team seeks its first IPL title. Rahul’s batting ability is hardly doubted. He’s mauled the best bowlers with his rich and powerful strokeplay. Under scrutiny now to see how he tackles burden of captaincy. Managing individuals with different skillsets and temperaments can be hugely demanding. Several fine players who have suffered under the pressure. But this is also an opportunity which can take Rahul higher in Indian cricket.
Hardik Pandya: Broke down during the ODI World Cup in 2019, Pandya’s comeback to Indian cricket — in all formats — depends on how well he survives this IPL season. His all-round skills and aggressive instincts make him a matchwinner: with bat or bowling fast medium with clever variations. Add to that brilliant fielding, and it is easy to see why Hardik is so coveted by Mumbai Indians, as well as the Indian team. Whether his career graph resumes its upward trajectory, stagnates or slumps depends on his form and fitness in this tournament.